The dedicated TEACHER

The dedicated TEACHER

Gifted in sharing the joys of French, and with a passion for pets, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana will always be remembered by those who witnessed her care and commitment

Published on January 3, 2008

Subhatra Bhumiprabhas

The Nation

Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Kromma Luang Narathiwat Rajanagarindra was well known for her talent in the French language. She was once head of the French Department at Thammasat University, where she taught for several years.

Her students have fond memories of their royal teacher.

The Princess was a stickler for the rules, they say, but also very kind.

"She was a strict teacher who worked hard on her preparations for classes, and she expected to see us study hard as well," says Dr Sompid Kattiyapikul, now director of Silapakorn University International College.

"The Princess taught French literature and poetry of the Middle Ages - it was difficult, hard to read, but she made it easier to understand."

Sompid was the Princess' student in 1975 and confessed that she and her classmates were nervous just being in her presence. Everyone sat bolt upright.

She had them read their homework aloud in front of the class, one by one. If there was a mistake she'd complain, "I already taught you this!"

Jumbhot Chuasai, who was the Princess' student in 1972 and '73, says the students admired her spirit and the fact that she was never late for class and checked their homework by herself.

"She'd get upset if anyone was irresponsible about their studies," says Jumbhot, now the head of Leadership Management International.

Welcoming students into her office at the university, the Princess strove to be just the same as other teachers, he says. "She didn't let us sit on the floor - she asked us to sit on a chair face to face with her."

She bought several expensive French books with her own money and let the students read them, Jumbhot says, and always encouraged them to enjoy French by arranging fun activities outside the classroom.

"She often hosted tea parties for students at Sra Prathum Palace and asked us to sing French songs," Sompid recalls. Their favourites were "La Mer" and "Vive La Rose".

Sompid vividly remembers one day in 1980 when she was studying in Besan็on, France, and the Princess came to visit her - a two-hour drive from her home in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"She bought Thai rice for me, knowing there was no place in Besan็on that sold it at that time."

She always followed her former students' progress, and they reciprocated by keeping in touch with her.

Well into her 80s, Princess Galyani remained a teacher, says Jumphot, who has also served as secretary-general of the Fund for Classical Music Promotion, which enjoyed the Princess' patronage.

"Whenever we met," Jumphot says, "she always tested my memory about what she taught me!"

The Nation